The Bistro on The Blufftop at Rocheport — Local services in Huntsdale

My daughter and I arrived at 3:10 pm on Sunday, August 25. The hostess immediately informed us that the kitchen would close from 3:30 to 4 to change to a dinner menu and if we wanted to eat, we'd have to order quickly, perhaps an appetizer or salad. I got the impression she was hoping we would leave. I said I imagined they were shutting it down already then my daughter said a salad would be ok. The hostess said nothing and led us to a table. There was a couple with their daughter already seated. We sat and sat. We saw a young man waiting on a table outside. When another couple came in, he came over after about 5 minutes, they got water and he talked to them for a bit. I assume about food. He said nothing to us, like 'I will be right with you' or anything and walked away. A few minutes later, he brought the first couple and daughter their water, walked away again not saying anything to us. My daughter went to the restroom. No one came up. When she returned, we sat awhile hoping we were next. Finally, I decided to go wash my hands and, as I passed the kitchen, I heard one of the cooks say to another, 'is anyone else ordering?' I told him that no one had even waited on us yet. He just looked at me. By the time I got back, my daughter was ready to leave. She was a server in college and she said she would never not acknowledge customers waiting without letting them know she would help them soon or at least ask the hostess to tell them. The hostess was just walking around and talking to another young lady. We there a total of 15 to 20 minutes, more or less, which isn't horrible if it's an especially busy time at any place, but it wasn't. 3 tables of people were all, just 7 customers waiting to give an order. We decided to leave. The hostess and the other young lady didn't look at us or say a thing as we passed them by the door and left. Over the years, any time we've travelled on I70, we try to stop by. We've been at your place many times over the years. It had been probably 10 years since the last time so we were really looking forward to this. I'm so...

Wholly disappointing. We've been here about a dozen times, and never had a complaint until we went for the Winemakers Mardi Gras Ball. Who has a wine pairing dinner with a 1oz (not exaggerating) pour? Ridiculous that we had to go to the bar and buy a glass of wine to go with the main course after paying for a wine-paired dinner. This wasn't a wine tasting, it was a 4 course meal with a pairing for each course. We didn't get a full glass total for the entire event, until I paid $8 a glass for the 4 of us to have enough wine to finish the main course. The event planners and organizers were consistently rude, even making us move our seating arrangement to accommodate the request of a winery employee's family member who was seated at our table (and was one of the most annoying girls I've ever met). It seemed many of the guests were friends or family of the winemakers and distillers. These also seemed to be the priority guests. The entire dinner seemed to be a party for the employees and we were invited to foot the bill for them. The food was good until the main course, which was a cornbread stuffing stuffed pork loin. The cornbread sucked every bit of moisture out of the pork (as anyone who knows anything about cooking could have seen coming) and made it one of the driest pieces of meat I've ever had. Surely the chef should know what to expect from cornbread. Combine that with the tasting room pour of wine. The volume level was far too loud, since they turned the band up until everyone was forced to shout to have a conversation. I had to step outside twice for a few minutes just to alleviate the constant din. For what we paid for dinner, I expected a reasonably full glass of wine with each course, staff that was appreciative of our patronage, above average food, and a more comfortable atmosphere. I do not believe we will be back, event or otherwise, and will not be recommending to our large group of wine and food aficionado friends that come to us for restaurant...

Arrived around 11:30 for lunch on a Saturday and dining room was less than 10% full. Was by myself and seated at the bar, despite ample seating in dining room including two-top table with great view of river. Very disappointing, particularly since the big attraction is glass front dining room with views of bluff and river. Bar is very narrow and really not suited or intended for dining. Ordered glass of Norton wine which I thought was good and worth the money. Also ordered Cuban sandwich which was good, but nothing special to warrant $16.00 price tag. Side was a cup of beef & barley soup which was also decent, but nothing special. Plenty of beef and lots of barley, with no other veggies. As soon as I finished ordering second bartender asked if I needed anything else. I said i was good for now, and she totaled out my order and said it would be $23 and change, without even giving me a paper bill. Thus, I paid before even receiving food. Nether of the bartenders made any further comments or checked back until I was done eating, despite being within a few feet of me the entire time I was there. Once I finished, one of them then asked if I wanted another glass of wine. I probably would have if had been seated with a view, but was done looking at the back of the bar. While waiting for food I heard one of the bartenders on the phone saying they were booked up for the evening, but taking walk-ins at the moment. Thus I don't think the treatment was a space issue, but if it was they should have just told me that. The dining room was more than 1/3 to 1/2 full when I left. If I were rating on food and wine alone it would be a solid 3 stars- good but at the top of the price range for what it was. The service and overall experience were just poor, and I think that has to cost a lot in the rating when that is really what this place has to...